The Orion Spur is the center of all things familiar in the galaxy, yet is largely unexplored by even the most noteworthy Skrell and Human expeditions. It represents a tiny portion of a much larger galaxy that is indicative of a thriving and lush interstellar community. At least, the hope is that whatever lay beyond could be considered such.

The Orion Spur is traditionally charted in a horizontal two-dimensional fashion imposed over the Milky Way. This is due to the fact that the density of noteworthy locations is rather thin and spread out evenly across its internal regions. This is not to say the galaxy is not three dimensional - however for your ease of comprehension, it will not be treated as such.

To the Galactic North of the Orion Spur (closer toward the galactic center in this definition) is the Sagittarius Arm, and to the Galactic South (further from the galactic center) would be the Perseus Arm.

Details as to the background of the Orion Spur can be found here. This region of space (or perhaps all of space if this is any indicator) is particularly anomalous, and some of its anomalies can be detailed on the Deep Space page.

Details on the regions of, and factions within the Orion Spur can be found below.

Regions

The Alliance of Sovereign Solarian Nations is the single largest political entity in known space. Nearly half of Humanity can trace their home to here.

Jewel Worlds

Centered in the heart of the Sol Alliance and largely safe from any common galactic dangers, the Jewel Worlds are the pride of Humanity to some, and a massive bane to others. Here is where the first colonization from Humanity arose, and where the Interstellar War was powered, producing an extremely polarized mindset against it amongst the Colonial territories. Nearly sixty billion Humans can be found here with an undetermined amount of xenos.

Among the Jewel Worlds are the entirety of the Sol star system, Epsilon Eridani, and Sirius.

The Jewel Worlds possess two bluespace gates, one from Sol to Konyang and Epsilon Eridani to Qerrbalak.

Middle Ring

The “middle ring” of the Solarian Alliance territories are generally the barrier of Colonial influence leading to the core worlds. Its own nations and dependencies within the Alliance are known for their loyalty to their benefactors. After all, without them, they would simply crumble.

Outer Ring

In the farthest reaches of Solarian control lay the Outer Ring and all its wonders, bordering the Frontier directly and regularly heavily patrolled by Alliance fleets. It totally encompasses both the Middle Ring and the Jewel Worlds. Due to the Alliance’ aggressive expansion and vicious border patrol, no official sovereignty directly borders the Outer Ring. As a result, the Outer Ring only borders open, dangerous frontier regions - such as Valley Hale and Rebel’s Reach.

The Outer Ring is accessible by a set of bluespace gates leading to and from Konyang and Tau Ceti, as well as Sol and Konyang.

Alliance Neutral Zone

A massive region of neutral space established over two hundred years ago during the time after the Interstellar War, the “ANZ” is a testament to the Coalition’s fear. Both the Alliance and Coalition have long since built their borders around this demilitarized zone, taking great care to not officially overstep their boundaries and create hostilities. However, it is very clear the Alliance itself has long cared little for this zone, regularly “accidentally” pushing survey fleets into its boundaries. The ANZ entirely encompasses the Weeping Stars region.

Weeping Stars

Not only a large memorial to the Interstellar War, the region known grimly as the Weeping Stars is perhaps the sole place the war occurred. Before the modern Coalition came to be, the war was fought over several lightyears of territory as the conflict raged on. Nearly 800 square lightyears saw the worst of the battles, leading the region to be later referred to after the tears caused by the bloodshed.

The Coalition of Colonies is the second largest Human entity in known space, regarded highly in the Frontier as a bastion of hope against the burgeoning Solarian Alliance. Over 85 billion people reside across the entire Coalition, with all relatively evenly spread out.

Central Coalition

The focal point of the Coalition, home to the Xanu Free League and Himeo - both powerhouses in their own regard. It spans roughly 50 square lightyears of space and is known for its countless mineral-rich systems.

Human Frontier and Colonial Space

The Human Frontier consists of any amount of open space that is charted but is left without any major galactic sovereignty. This is seen as lawless, wild space to some while untold billions call it home. Colonial territories such as Elyra or Dominia are the few bastions of solid civilization in this chaotic place.

Rebel’s Reach

Among the greatest standing acts of defiance against the Solarian Alliance in the modern day, Rebel’s Reach is a portion of the Frontier dotted with Coalition trade posts and secure travel routes. It is the most common route to and from the Coalition due to its position outside of the Neutral Zone permitting safe travel under the umbrella of either side’s defense forces.

The Clash

The Clash is the farthest point of the Human Frontier and the closest settlement of Human territories to Jargon Federation space, with some independent factions practically floating on the border of it.

Arusha

Arusha is a truly alien sector within the Orion Spur, known for its great many barely-habitable planets populated by xenoflora that is like nothing ever seen elsewhere in charted space. Presumably anomalous in nature or spread by a now long-gone civilization, these Arushan plant species are widely famous for their odd appearance, high luminescence and very specific compatible habitats. The products of harvesting Arushan plants are seen as delicacies across charted space.

Badlands

The Badlands are home to some of the Orion Spur’s most savage flora and fauna, a phenomenon that attracts only the wildest and wisest of the system’s inhabitants - xenobiologists, weapon scientists, there’s even a market for mercenaries, in the hunting of the particularly large and lethal creatures. Of course, there are also those looking to make a life for themselves, but natives aren’t known to treat settlements kindly.

Perispolis, capital of Elyra and a major political player in the Badlands.

The Badlands are accessible by a set of bluespace gates leading to and from Tau Ceti and Perispolis/New Ankara.

Valley Hale

Nestled in the narrow Frontier space between the Republic of Elyra and the Solarian Alliance is Valley Hale, a large region filled with a large amount of old, dying stars and impassable nebulae. Due to close proximity to patrols on either end of this space, it isn’t frequented much by criminal elements and is one of the safer parts of the known Frontier.

Sparring Sea

A large region of heavily contested space, mostly avoided, barring those with lofty goals or sinister dealings. It is populated by all sorts of outcasts and outlaws, but notably unathi pirates and exiles, Dominian edict breakers and even the scarce eccentric band of skrell are all known to seek refuge here. Though piratry is common, plenty of stubborn colonies of all backgrounds make stakes here.

Light’s Edge

An astrological curiosity, Light’s Edge is the end of colonized space in its direction. The area beyond it is devoid of major stars, and ships that pass near it often report feelings of unease amongst the crew. Settlements are extremely rare in Light’s Edge, and those that are present have a nasty habit of tearing themselves apart internally.

Crosk Plains

A large, mostly uncontrolled area, the Crosk Plains represent the furthest stretches of human colonization - stretching up against the skrellian border. The Coalition of Colonies, Jargon Federation, and Solarian Alliance are currently attempting to expand their influence into this region with varying degrees of success.

The Jargon Federation is an authoritarian, centralized union of star systems. Although humans have fractured heavily in their expansion, Skrell have remained in a largely singular government through strict reinforcement of education, travel, technology and research, as well as laws, working as a democratic meritocracy with a planned economy. Social media is maintained by the Federation government, who gag unacceptable discussions or thoughts and instead encourage people to be like the Idols that they reward with credits, high quality housing, and fine living.

First Wave Systems

When Skrell finally ventured beyond their solar system, they did so with great enthusiasm, scouting out the perfect worlds to colonize. In the 1600's, the first waves of colony ships expanded beyond the Home System into these explored systems, building up highly populous planets with well developed infrastructure and healthy trade routes. With the Federation's strict colonist-recruitment systems and idealistic view on exploration, there was only a small amount of crime in this golden age of colonialism.

Qerrbalak and the Skrell Homeworlds are noteworthy First Wave systems.

The First Wave Systems are accessible by a set of bluespace gates leading to and from Epsilon Eridani and Qerrbalak.

Puddle Worlds

As the First Wave Systems grew, smaller settlements sprouted to support them. This Second Wave of colonization efforts saw the spontaneous rise of many colonies with single purposes, like mining outposts and farming operations. Some of these systems would go on to becoming thriving, if not modest, communities of varying levels of self reliance, often with highly specialized citizens.

The Traverse

The Traverse is the ever expanding frontier of Skrell space, meant to be the ‘lattice’ upon which future centralized Federation territories would be built upon. Settlements here can vary wildly, but it is common that the colonists consist mostly of carefully chosen civilians, professionals who will keep the colony running smoothly, and their families. These systems have heavy military and naval patrol, meant to protect colonists from piracy and other dangers.

The Median

A bulk of the Traverse’ space is known to the Solarian Alliance as “the Median,” originally set in stone as a barrier between the growing Alliance and the Jargon Federation after first contact. Since then, it has evolved to lose much meaning to its name, seeing as both sides of the region may travel freely within.

The Starmap

The Orion Spur

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